PHF in talks with foreign coaches

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is about to hire the services of a renowned foreign coach for the senior team. Negotiations are in the final stage, a source told ‘The News’. His assignment will begin with the Commonwealth Games and continue till at least the World Cup which is scheduled in December.

Informed sources said that due to the importance of the coming international events and having tested several local coaches, PHF wanted a foreign coach who can train the players according to the modern day’s requirements. Pakistan team currently occupies the lowly 13th spot.

PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed is engaged in discussions with coaches of Holland, Germany and Australia origin whose standing in modern hockey is established. Right now Pakistan team is in Oman playing a double league, three-nation tournament.

The hockey greats who visited Pakistan recently in connection with the World XI tour and Hall of Fame ceremony also suggested PHF to hire the services of a foreign coach who knows the modern-day hockey requirements.

This year, the Green-shirts are to participate in Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, Asian Champions Trophy, Asian Games, and the World Cup in December in India. The PHF wants to take the benefit of these events to improve the performance of Pakistan team, keeping in mind particularly the direct qualification for 2020 Olympics through Asian Games.

The previous three experiments with Pakistani coaches and team managements did not prove worthwhile, said the sources. Thus, PHF has decided to hire the services of a well-reputed foreign coach for coming events.